In the legal profession, where high-stakes cases and demanding work environments are the norm, maintaining a sense of autonomy becomes essential. From a trauma-informed perspective, autonomy isn't just about professional freedom — it’s a vital aspect of emotional well-being and sustainable practice.

The word "trauma" is often misunderstood and underestimated in its complexity. Trauma doesn’t have a singular definition, as it can mean different things to different people. Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, whether they be singular catastrophic events or a series of ongoing challenges. In some cases, trauma may not be tied to a specific event but instead to an environment or relational situation that overwhelms an individual. Vicarious trauma, for instance, affects professionals who are repeatedly exposed to the trauma of others, such as those working within the legal system